“Crochet Boutique” is a book of 30 different crochet projects, written by Rachael Oglesby and published by Lark Publishing. The book is 128 pages.

Rachael started out by selling finished projects on etsy under her brand, Soft Spoken. What I’ve discovered with the very successful crochet project makers on etsy is that they usually use projects that are quick and easy. They bump it up a couple of notches by making the yarn the key focus rather than the stitches. Using chunky yarn helps to make the projects move along faster so you can make more in a shorter amount of time.

These are the things I expected to see when I bought the book for review here. I wasn’t disappointed!

The photography is lovely and modern. These fingerless mitts are adorable and look super quick to stitch. The alpaca blend gives the mitts a luxurious look and the bulky weight makes these a quick project.

The stitch pattern here is more of an intermediate level but the use of a chunky roving yarn is what makes people stop and take a second look. Never underestimate the power of embellishment because those round bamboo handles make this project look fabulous.

This is really the look you need when trying to sell on etsy. You need stand-out pieces; things people aren’t expecting from crochet. This is another project made in chunky roving. These are easy stitches but the yarn is what makes this piece look like you bought it a high-end shoppe.

These are the kinds of projects that will get you noticed as a seller and will have your friends and family wishing they knew how to crochet.

One of you lucky people is going to get this book and you’ll love it!

Open worldwide only where allowed by law. Void where prohibited.

One name will be chosen randomly from all names entered prior to close at 11:59pm (CST) on December 24, 2018. Sign in through Facebook or with your email address to enter. Choose any of the other options for additional entries, including a daily bonus entry. Good luck, everyone!

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I didn’t realize when I purchased this book for the giveaway today that it was written by Margaret Hubert. I’m sure I knew that at one time but it’s hard to keep up with Margaret. She’s a crochet rockstar!

Here’s a photo of us together about 10 years ago maybe? Has it been that long? She’s such a cutie pie.

The Complete Photo Guide to Crochet is an incredible book. The level of instruction is amazing and I’m going to have to get one of these books for my own personal library now that I’ve had a chance to preview it. It’s nearly 300 pages of crochet instruction and you can find something for everyone from beginners to pros.

One of you lucky people is going to get it and you’ll love it!

Open worldwide only where allowed by law. Void where prohibited.

One name will be chosen randomly from all names entered prior to close at 11:59pm (CST) on December 17, 2018. Sign in through Facebook or with your email address to enter. Choose any of the other options for additional entries, including a daily bonus entry. Good luck, everyone!

The entry form will load immediately below these words. Wait for it to load. If it doesn’t load, you may need to break out your laptop because some devices (I’m looking at you, iPad) strip the code sometimes.

If you have any problems with entering and you’ve entered before, you may have changed your login credentials for Facebook or email. Just click on the little Edit link to the right of the login, remove your login then retry.

“Cute Amigurumi Monsters” is a crochet pattern book with 10 different little monster projects. The designs are all by Yolanda Soto-Lopez.

In case you’re wondering, “amigurumi” is simply a Japanese word meaning a crocheted or knitted stuffed doll. Amigurumi is the same thing as stuffed animal or stuffies; it’s just a name for them that’s currently most popular. You may also find the words “ami” and “amis” being used as shortened versions of the same thing. Not to worry, though. There is no special technique. They’re the same stuffed crochet animals or dolls that you’ve come to know and love.

The monsters measure between about 7 inches and 10 inches. I think I would like to try double-stranding and see if I can get some BIG monsters. How fun!

Minty, shown here on the left, is my favorite of the bunch. So cute!

All projects are listed as skill level Easy, which is just above Beginner level. These are “projects using yarn with basic stitches, repetitive stitch patterns, simple color changes and simple shaping and finishing.”

There are easy stitches here. You just need to be certain that you’re working at a tight enough tension that your fiber filling stays inside.

You’ll find tutorials in the book for these techniques to help guide you through making the monsters:

adjustable loop

back ridge of chain

changing colors

weaving through stitches

whipstitch, and

outline stitch

The pieces are all very easy to make and you simply sew them together with a yarn needle. Amigurumi are fun and easy to make.

Yolanda has used easily accessible Red Heart Super Saver for all of these designs and the exact colors are listed in the book to make it easier to get your supplies together.

Open worldwide only where allowed by law. Void where prohibited.

One name will be chosen randomly from all names entered prior to close at 11:59pm (CST) on December 10, 2018. Sign in through Facebook or with your email address to enter. Choose any of the other options for additional entries, including a daily bonus entry. Good luck, everyone!

The entry form will load immediately below these words. Wait for it to load. If it doesn’t load, you may need to break out your laptop because some devices (I’m looking at you, iPad) strip the code sometimes.